Title
Honoring Pig’s Eye Park Friends.
Body
WHEREAS, Pig's Eye Park is the largest park in Saint Paul and is located along the Mississippi River, in a section of the river where ecology, landscape, history, culture and institutions come together to create a space unlike any other in Saint Paul; and
WHEREAS, the former landfill was remediated and turned into a 400-acre park containing miles of hiking trails, a 500-acre, 200-foot-deep, glacial waterbody that was carved out of rock prior to the Mississippi River’s existence in Saint Paul, numerous bird-watching areas and fertile ground for eagle sightings, an archery range and one of the largest urban heron and egret rookeries in the Midwest; and
WHEREAS, the park is a gem within the Mississippi River and Recreational Area National Park and an important part of the Mississippi Flyway, containing 325 bird species; and is designated a State Scientific and Natural Area and a State Critical Area in the heart of the seven-county Metropolitan Area; and
WHEREAS, Pig’s Eye Park Friends, launched by a handful of residents to support and enhance Pig's Eye Park, has led extensive efforts to educate the community, and spur action from and secure a commitment by city, state and federal leaders to invest in the restoration of this unparalleled natural resource in our midst; and
WHEREAS, Pig’s Eye Park Friends have worked with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and Minnesota Department of Health to identify cleanup and restoration needs to protect and enhance opportunities for the public, and the return of species impacted by pollution and habitat destruction; and
WHEREAS, the Friends have been successful in working with the city and the state legislature to secure funding of over $1 million for pollution cleanup, habitat restoration, and public access work as important first steps in realizing the significant potential of this critical nature preserve; now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council honors the work of the Pig's Eye Park Friends, which in a few short years, has built a strong and growing constituency from among Saint Paul’s diverse communities by hosting weekly Tuesday tours along with cleanups, activities and events, making it possible for hundreds of people to discover this wild and beautiful expanse in the middle of our city for the very first time; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council expresses deep gratitude to the Pig’s Eye Park Friends for their diligence in galvanizing public support for Pig’s Eye Park, and for their ongoing commitment to steward its restoration; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council pledges to honor the work of the Pig’s Eye Park Friends through its ongoing commitment to advance the protection of this natural area.